The Dallas daily herald. [volume] (Dallas, Tex.) 1873-1887, 1887-04-19
The Loss of The Helen Mar.

The Loss of The Helen Mar.
Before entering upon the strange
narrative which the entreaties ola few
friends, already cognizant OF the facts,
and a strong sense ofduty have finally
impelled me to make public, | wish to
say that am not now, nor ever have
been an unduly superstitious man.
Still am convinced, both from GER
tain events within my own experience,
and from others that have been re-
lated to me by persons OF undoubted
veracity, that the ordinary sequence
OF natural cause and effect is some
times violated in manner totally in
explicable to human reason.
The following particulars OF the
laundering OF the ship "Helen Mar"
of the Bermudas are facts that came
under my own personal observation,
and | relate them in the hope Of there
by clearing myself, as officer OF the
deck at that time OF the ill.iated YES
sci, from the charge OF mismanage-
ment which has been laid at my door.
Being the sole survivor OF the disas-
ter, | am the sole witness as to the
strange cause oft. and | am well aware
that my attempt at explanation will
be received by many with incredulity
and derislon.
On the 18th day ofAugust, 1859, the
New England whaling barque Helen
Mar, OF which was then second
mate, put into the port OF Pernam-
buco to take up letters which awaited
us in the hands OF the ships agent.
We expected TO run thence TO Bermu.
da to receive our supplies, and there
fore did not come to anchor; but wind
and weather being favorable, laid "off
and on" outside the harbor. My boat
was told off to convey the captain
ashore. and we lowered from the ship
lust after sunrise. intending to finish
our business so rs to get aboard and
make sail again in the afternoon. Our
supply OF vegetables had run short.
and the captain was anxious to make
Bermuda as soon as possible to re.
plenish it. On arriving at the wharf,
the captain directed me to leave
q man in charge OF the boat, and,
taking the rest OF the crew with
me, to 90 into the town and endeav-
or to find three or four men will
ing to ship, to fill the places OF those
who had deserted at our last port.
We accordingly separated soon after
landing, and / proceeded up the broad
street that fronts the harbor, knowing
that my chances OF success weregreat-
err there owing to the proximity OF the
shipping and numerous boarding
houses and rumshops frequented by
seamen. soon succeeded in finding
two men, deserters from an English
merchant man. and dispatched them
TO the Office OF the American consul,
where the captain was employed at
that hour.
Desiring to find n third man /
turned into garishly furnished
zros-shop that seemed like
fy place tor my purpose.
Upon entering / found myself in q
spacious hall at the farther end 4
which stood bar, presided over by a
sinister-iooking Portuguese. To my
surprise the walls were hung round
with cages containingparrots, nacaws
and other native birds, and the air
was filed with their discordant cries.
In the centre of the hall was stout
pillar at the base OF which was tied
large, Notwithstanding baboon, that
tugged at his chain and CRASHED his
long, sharp teeth in a way anything
but reassuring to customers. Stand
ing listlessly over this uninviting BRUTE
and apparently quite needless Of it's
teeth and claws stood a tall,
swarthy-looking fellow, evident
" a Malay, who regarded
me With looks OF eager interest. He
was typical specimen Of his race. and
was clad in a loose whitegarment, CON
6ned at the waist BY red sash;